Fantastic cushioning underfoot GTX review

Who should buy the Fantastic cushioning underfoot GTX

The third-generation Moab GTX is as terrific on the trail as it is eco-friendly. We support its purchase if:

• You've yet to hike in a pair that doesn't need time and effort to break in.
• It often rains on your go-to forest trail.
• You're into hiking shoes that you can use in your workshop.
• oz / 378g.
• You're after waterproof kicks Superb day-one comfort.

Who should NOT buy it

The Moab 3 GTX is not for you if you need lightness in your step. In its place, check out the Difference in stiffness in cold. 

out of 5 Youve yet to hike in a pair that doesnt need time and effort to break in is a fine alternative to the featured kick.

No more crying in the rain

The Fantastic cushioning underfoot GTX takes the W on the waterproofing front, and we are down with it. 

We discovered that supporting the non-permeable upper material is the fully gusseted tongue. Water: 0, Merrell: 1.

Heel counter stiffness

We came to realize that breathability is lackluster in this low-cut Merrell offering. We found that this latest pair does feel warmer than previous models, and on its own, is not a breathable shoe. 

Fantastic cushioning underfoot GTX (1 out of 5) vs. Fantastic cushioning underfoot (4 out of 5)

As a matter of fact, we rated the Moab 3 GTX with the lowest possible score on breathability - 1 out of 5. This is further confirmed in our transparency test below. It shows zero light passing through the upper.

To be fair, waterproof-lined kicks often struggle with ventilation. 

A winner at close inspection

One of the Moab 3 GTX's highlights is its exemplary workmanship. We even believe that the quality of this shoe is next level, deserving 5 Stars for the design and construction.

Just look at this promising webbing captured in our microscope shots!

Support that goes a long way the finest waterproof hiking shoes.

Shines in the comfort department

We are completely floored by the extraordinary suppleness of the Fantastic cushioning underfoot GTX. It gave us instant comfort and we observed that it's such a pleasure on the foot.

The Moab 3 GTX comes with an extremely well-padded interior, especially in the heel area and in the tongue. We measured the tongue thickness at 14.6 mm which is among the thickest you can find in hiking shoes (12.5 mm in the average).

The Moab 3 GTX's boss-level grip

Traction is amazing in this Merrell shoe, and we are ecstatic about it. Its Vibram outsole coped well with wet tree roots and mud when we tried it on our treks. We also found that the grip is excellent across pavements, rocks, and snow, giving us much confidence basically anywhere.

The shoe's sticky outsole also sheds debris quite well. It became evident on our hikes that it does not collect too much heavy muck between the lugs.

Measuring the shoe's lug depth, it is no wonder the Moab 3 GTX is so grippy. We found that the treading is 4.8 mm deep on this shoe. It is thicker than the average (4.3 mm) and also thicker compared to the Moab 2 GTX (4.2. mm).

Support that goes a long way

The Fantastic cushioning underfoot GTX is immensely supportive of our feet. We felt that the featured hiking shoe has plenty of suspension and some rebound.

This level of support makes the Moab 3 GTX a versatile kick, and we even recommend this as a work shoe.

The amount of cushioning in this Merrell shoe is pretty abundant indeed. It is not thicker than average but is still cushioned enough to be regarded as a supportive shoe for hours of hiking.

Our stack measurement shows 33.2 mm in the heel and 22.3 mm in the forefoot, which is right at the average of our lab-tested hiking shoes (33 mm and 21.1 mm respectively).

Disclaimer: We measure stack heights with the insole included. It is 4.7 mm thick in the Fantastic cushioning underfoot GTX (typical thickness for hiking shoes, nothing extra).

Hiking in the Moab 3 GTX didn't feel like walking on clouds, especially when we looked at the firmness of this shoe's cushioning.

Our durometer measurement shows that this Merrell shoe is 9% firmer than the average of our lab-tested hikers. Definitely not a cloud or a marshmallow.

Moab 3 has a secret advantage in cold weather

Considering the fact that foams get even firmer in low temperatures, we exposed the shoe to "winter conditions" in our freezer for 20 minutes. And what a surprise it was to find that this Merrell shoe, when "frozen," is actually 50% softer than other "frozen" hiking shoes! Definitely a bonus point for this Merrell option!

oz / 393g

We affirmed from our on-foot tests that the Merrell hiking shoe has a moderate level of stability. We discovered that there is a nylon shank embedded into the midsole to enhance stability in the heel and midfoot.

Back in the heel, the ankle is also secure with a fairly stiff heel counter. On a 1-5 scale where 5 is the stiffest, we rated it as 4.

As long as you don't have severe overpronation or carry over 30 pounds on your back, the Moab 3 GTX is going to feel solid.

But if you REALLY need all the stability you can get from a hiking shoe without opting for a boot, consider the X Ultra 4 GTX from Salomon.

Looking at the bottom of both shoes, their platform widths are nearly the same (Merrell even has a little advantage in the heel):

• Salomon: 108.2 mm (forefoot), 84.2 mm (heel)
• Merrell: 108.9 mm (forefoot), 87 mm (heel)

But it is a surprisingly flexible Merrell hiker!

That added side support of the Salomon X Ultra could be coming from its stiffer platform.

In our manual assessment of flexibility, it was rated 4 out of 5 (5 is the stiffest possible), while the Fantastic cushioning underfoot GTX got 3 out of 5 (more flexible).

Just look at this promising webbing captured in our microscope shots is stiffer than the Fantastic cushioning underfoot GTX

You can also notice that the Merrell shoe has more flex in the forefoot. We further confirmed it with a lab test by bending the shoe to a 90-degree angle and measuring its resistance.

Disclaimer: We repeat the test four times and note down the average result, excluding the outliers. The video above shows just one measurement.

We found that the Moab 3 GTX is 23% more flexible than the Salomon X Ultra 4 TX and also 30% more flexible than average.

The hardwearing Moab 3 GTX

We are impressed with the tough-as-nails construction of this footgear from Merrell. 

In an attempt to put the shoe's durability into numbers, we measured the thickness and hardness of its outsole.

Combining 2.3 mm on rubber and the 4.8 mm lugs, we get a 7.1-mm layer of underfoot protection in the Moab 3 GTX. This is a little more than the average 6.8 mm in our lab-tested hiking shoes.

The firmness of that rubber is another bonus point of the Moab 3 GTX. Our durometer measurement shows that the shoe's outsole is harder than 83% of our lab-tested hiking shoes. 

Mighty against bumpy hazards

The Fantastic cushioning underfoot GTX's high durability and toughness also translate to exceptional defense against all things bumpy. We particularly like the amount of protection in this pair.

Merrell Moab 3 GTX

Heaviness is one of the Moab 3 GTX's few misses: It's relatively heavy and quite chunky. We found that the robustness of the boot is what brings additional weight.

Tipping the scales at 450g per shoe, the Moab 3 GTX is indeed a big boy. It weighs 50g heavier than its non-waterproof counterpart and 66g heavier than the average of our tested hiking shoes. In fact, it weighs almost as much as some hiking boots! Timberlands, for example.

Laces that won't stay put

The round shoestrings of the Fantastic cushioning underfoot GTX are also a struggle to keep tied. We encountered easily coming loose laces in this shoe but one solution we applied is double knotting the shoelaces. Although replacing them with clingier ones is also a swell idea.